Holding block



Patented pr. 15, 124i.

iTEo STATES tact PATENT FFICE,

ALFRED E. C. GILMOUR, F WILKINSIBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

HOLDING BLOCK.

Application filed January 19, 1922. Serial No. 530,478.

.10 primarily designed for engravers for securing the plates while being engraved, but it is obvious that the device may be employed for any purposes wherein it is found to be applicable.

Important objects of the invention are to provide a holding block including rapidly operable clamping elements, whereby thin fiat plates, small objects, and objects irregular in contour and configuration, may be fixedly secured while being operated on by the artisan thereby facilitating their manipulation, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, positive in its action, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing forming a portion of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a perspective view of a holding block in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on line llll, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the clamping elements.

Figures 1 and 5 are perspective views of auxiliary clamping jaws.

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views of face plates adapted to be used in connection with the auxiliary clamping j aws.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1 denotes the body portion or block, constructed from wood or other suitable material. The block 1 and associated parts are illustrated as rectangular in contour, out the same may be of any desired shape to best meet conditions found in practice. To provide accuracy and wearing qualities, the block 1 is covered with the top plate 2, the side plates 3, and the end plates 4;, all of which are preferably constructed from metal.

The top plate 2 and the block 1 are formed with a pair of transverse grooves 5 and a 'centrallydisposed longitudinal groove 6, the former opemng into respective transverse bores 7 and the latter into the longitudinal bore 8. The bore 8 is located beneath the bore 7 for the purpose hereinafter fully explained.

Each of the clamping elements comprises a barrel 9 slidably mounted in the bores 7 and 8 and formed with a vertical stem 10 extending upward into the grooves 5 and 6. Pivotally mounted to the top of the stem 10, by means of a screw 12, is a clamping jaw 11, the lower face of which rests flatly on the top plate 2.

A screw shaft 13 extends through each of the transverse bores 7 and is suitably journaled for rotation in respective side plates 3. A screw shaft it extends through the longitudinal bore 8 and is suitably journaled for rotation in respective end plates 4:. One end ofeachof the shafts 13 and 14: projects beyond the side plate 3 and the end plate 1, respectively, and carries a knurled head 15 mounted thereon to facilitate its manipulation when rotating said shafts. Heads 15 are further provided with spaced apertures 16, adapted for the reception of a tool when required to rotate the shafts.

One-half of each of the shafts 13 and 14: is formed with a right-hand thread, and the other one-half thereof with a left-hand thread. A pair of clamping elements is mounted on each of the shafts 13 and 14, one of said elements being engaged by the right-hand threaded portion, and the other by the left-hand threaded portion. The

I shafts extend through and threadably engage the barrel 9 of the clamping elements. Upon rotation of the shafts the action of the right and left-hand threaded portions thereof in the barrels of the clampingelements mounted thereon, will simultaneously move said clamping elements toward or away from each other, such movement being determined by the direction. of rotation of the shaft.

The position of the screw shaft it over the transverse shafts 13 will allow the adjustment of the clamping elements on the shaft 14 without interference with those carried by the transverse shaft-s 13, or vice versa.

The clamping jaw 11 is constructed with a bevelled edge 17 as illustrated in Figure 1 and is primarily designed for engaging an engraving plate. To intensify such engagement the edge 1? may be serrated or toothed, as shown in Figure 3.

The auxiliary jaw 18, illustrated in Figure i, is adapted to be positioned over the clamping jaw 11, and is formed with an aperture 19 having opposed side walls 20 and 21 thereof bevelled, said bevel, however, being in inverted position relative to the bevel edge 17 of the clamping jaw 11. The engagement of the bevelled parts assures a fixed connection between the clamping jaw 11 and the auxiliary jaw 18, and permits of the latter being reversed if desired.

The auxiliary jaw 18 is further formed with a vertical portion 22 provided with a pair of alined perforations 28 adapted for the reception of the pair of pins 24 for detachably securing a face plate to the said vertical portion 22.

The face plates 25, 26 and 27, shown in respective Figures 6, v7 and 8 of the drawing, illustrate a few of the many different working faces that may be provided for use in connection with the auxiliary jaw 18.

The auxiliary jaw 28, shown in Figure 5, is identical t that described relative to the jaw 18, with the exception that the opposed ends thereof are formed with vertical portions 29, 30. The faces of these vertical portions are provided with'indentations to augment their gripping action.

The working faces of the face plates, of

the auxiliary jaws l8 and 28, and of the clamping jaw 11, may be of any design and contour to best grip and secure the object it is desired to hold.

What I claim is In combination of a holding block for the purpose set forth comprising a flat rectangular wood body portion, provided with metal top, side and end plates, said body portion and top plate formed with a pair of transversely extending grooves opening at their lower ends into a pair of transversely extending bores, said body portion and top plate further provided with a lon gitudinally extending groove opening at its lower end into a longitudinally extending bore, said longitudinal bore arranged above the transverse bores and said transverse grooves intersecting said longitudinal groove, a screw shaft mounted in each of said transverse bores and journaled for rotation in said side plates, a screw shaft mounted in the said longitudinal bore and journaled for rotation in said end plates, said screw shafts having the one-half portion thereof formed with right hand threads and the other one-half portion thereof formed with left hand threads, a pair of clamping elements mounted in each of said grooves, each of said elements including a barrel, the right hand threaded portion of each f said screw shafts threadably engaging the barrel of one of said pair of clamping elements and the left hand threaded portion of each of said shafts threadably engaging the barrel of the other of said pair of clamping elements, each of said clampin elements further including a stem and a clamping jaw, said stem formed integral upward through respective grooves and said clamping jaw pivotally connected to the top of said stern and positioned with its lower face -flatly on the surface of the said top plate, each of said screw shafts having one with said barrel and extending vertically 

